CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
CAREER
GUIDE CAREER SERVICES | RONAN HALL 240 (989) 774-3068 | CAREERS.CMICH.EDU
Your access to jobs, internships, events, appointments, and career resources
INSIDE YOUR
CAREER GUIDE: SUCCESSFUL START “Chip-A-Way” At Your Career Plan “Chip-A-Way” At Your Career Plan (continued) Career Ambassadors Utilizing Handshake
1
REFLECT AND RESEARCH Finding Your Career & Academic Fit Career & Personality Assessments Holland Career Codes Best Fit Area of Study & Career
2
17 18 19 20 21, 22 23, 24 25, 26 27 28 29 30 31, 32
EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE Expand My Brand Navigating Career and Online Fairs Choosing References and Mentors Reference Page Are You “Career Ready”? Move & Improve
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9, 10 11, 12 13 14
MARKET AND MANAGE Your Experiences Your Skills Steps to Adapt Your Brand and Applications Build Your Brand Resume Formats: “Chronological” and “Functional” Resume Styles Cover Letters Job Description Showing Your Fit Academic Applications: Personal Statement Academic Applications: Curriculum Vitae Online Branding
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2 3,4 5 6
35, 36 37, 38 39 40 41 42
SEAL THE DEAL Interview Preparation Types of Interviews Interview Questions Closing the Deal Following Up Creating a Realistic Budget
45, 46 47, 48 49, 50 51 52 53-56 57, 58
SUCCESSFUL START
“CHIP-A-WAY” AT YOUR
CAREER PLAN promote life-long student success through:
ACTION Jobs, Internships Involvements
OB
SE
RV E
—
TE
ST
/T R
Y
—
TE
AC H
SELF Awareness Exploring Career OPTIONS Empowering ACTION Through Personal and Professional Experiences
TE
N/
OPTIONS
RE
AD
—
LIS
Academics, Training Career Fields, Industries Occupations
SELF Values, Interests Skills, Goals
CLARITY, COMPETENCIES, COMFORT, AND CONFIDENCE
STEPS TO DEVELOP THE PROCESS: READ LISTEN/OBSERVE TEST/TRY a variety of experiences (ex. internships, jobs, volunteering) TEACH others about your profession (ex. professional conferences)
!
2
“CHIP-A-WAY” AT YOUR CAREER PLAN “PLANNING” SECTION UNDER “CAREER CENTER” (cmich.joinhandshake.com)
SUCCESSFUL START
REFLECT AND RESEARCH
MARKET AND MANAGE
EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE
SEAL THE DEAL
• Career Services Website (careers.cmich.edu) • Meet the Career Services Team • Peer Career Ambassadors • “Handshake” Career Management System • Career Guide • Campus Involvement (OrgSync)
• Career & Personality Assessments • Deciding on Areas of Study • Career Fields, Occupations • Academics, Graduate School • Informational Interviews • Job Shadowing
• Resume & Cover Letter • Personal Statement and CV • Business Cards • Social Media, Website/E-Portfolio
REACH
CAREER PEER
• Internship/Co-Op & Job Search • Events & Career Fairs • Networking & Involvement • Mentors/References • Career Advancement & Transitioning
• Interviewing • Professional Attire • Salary & Negotiation • Budgeting
“CAREER AMBASSADOR” PEERS: REACH CAREER PEER “1ST APPOINTMENT”: MEET WITH A CAREER COACH APPOINTMENTS CMICH.JOINHANDSHAKE.COM bit.ly/cmichcsteam bit.ly/cmichca
“FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS”: MEET WITH AN ASSISTANT DIREC
• SELECT YOUR ACADEMIC COLLEGE/TOPIC: CHSBS - CCFA - CBA - CSE • ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
MOCK INTERVIEW
YEAR 2 GOALS
FIRST IMPRESSIONS FITTING
YEAR 3 GOALS
YEAR 4 GOALS
outREACH EVENT/PRESENTATION
CTOR FOR MAIN ACADEMIC COLLEGE, UNDECIDED, OR CAREER ASSESSMENT INTERPRETATION
E - CHP - CEHS - UNDECIDED/DECIDING EMAIL:
4
SUCCESSFUL START
YEAR 1 GOALS
CAREER
AMBASSADORS LEARN ABOUT RESOURCES AND JOIN OUR TEAM AT bit.ly/cmichca BUILD YOUR BRAND REACH
CAREER PEER
Stop by Ronan Hall 240 for a walk-in peer-to-peer career coaching appointment. Our Career Peers are trained to help you with resumes and general career guidance.
LEARN MORE AT: bit.ly/cmichreach DRESS TO IMPRESS Our dedicated student Sales Associates are here to help you look your best at your next interview or networking event. Learn more on how to submit an application for FREE professional clothing.
LEARN MORE AT: MAKE A DIFFERENCE Program. The program is open to all students, regardless of major and grade level, with opportunities available every semester. Free transportation from campus to Lansing and parking can be arranged.
LEARN MORE AT: bit.ly/cmichccip ACE YOUR INTERVIEW Mock Interviews provide an opportunity to practice communication and interviewing skills in
Schedule a Mock Interview through Handshake.
LEARN MORE AT: bit.ly/cmichmock CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS The Employer Spotlight program educates undergraduate and graduate students as early as freshman year to prepare for their careers. Network with featured employers on campus to learn about future internship and job opportunities. Utilize Handshake to see who will be visiting campus and when.
LEARN MORE AT: bit.ly/cmiches REQUEST A PRESENTATION Registered student organizations may request a Career Services overview presentation as well OutREACH AMBASSADORS
LEARN MORE AT: bit.ly/cmichoutreach
5
SUCCESSFUL START
UTILIZING PROVIDING STUDENTS ACCESS TO JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, EVENTS AND CAREER RESOURCES
NEED HELP NAVIGATING HANDSHAKE?
CALL CAREER SERVICES AT (989) 774-3068 FOR ASSISTANCE OR VISIT bit.ly/cmichhandshake FOR SUPPORT
5
8
7
CW
Chip 2
4 3 6
9
CW Chip A. Way
Desktop view of Handshake
1
Sign-in with your CMU email, Global ID, and password at cmich.joinhandshake.com.
2 3 4
Schedule an appointment for career coaching or a mock interview.
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Search for opportunities and resources based on keywords.
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Check your news feed, which adapts to user preferences.
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Scope out events related to your area of study and career interests.
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Explore full-time jobs and internships.
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Discover additional career resources in the “Planning” section.
6
REFLECT AND
WHAT’S INSIDE
RESEARCH
THIS SECTION
Finding Your Career & Academic Fit Career & Personality Assessments Holland Career Codes Best Fit Area of Study & Career
9, 10 11, 12 13 14
1
1
process can often be overwhelming. Your interests, skills, personality, and values all play an important
PLANNING (”CAREER CENTER” DROP-DOWN MENU) TOPICS: • Career & Personality Assessments • Deciding on Areas of Study • Career Fields, Occupations • Academics, Graduate School • Informational Interviews • Job Shadowing
EXAMPLE RESOURCES:
FINDING YOUR CAREER & ACADEMIC FIT
QUESTIONS TO SUPPORT PROCESS: • WHAT? • WHERE? • WHEN? • WHO? • HOW? • WHY?
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS: • What do I do with my free time? • Where do I want to live? • When do I want to intern? • Who do I want to help through my career? • How can I reach my career goals? • Why did I choose my area of study?
ACTION
OPTIONS
SECTION 2
SELF
Career Services facilitates discussion and strategic decision-making for our students and alumni to promote lifelong success through: 1. SELF Awareness 2. Exploring Career OPTIONS 3. Empowering ACTION.
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(CMICH.JOINHANDSHAKE.COM)
Discuss your personal and professional interests, future plans, and goals with following areas listed below:
1
SELF Enhance SELF as well as personal and professional goals. • Take the following Career Assessments:
2
OPTIONS Explore and select academic and career OPTIONS and goals. • View the following Career and Academic Exploration resources:
3
ACTION Be empowered to take ACTION sion-making to secure personal and professional opportunities that promote experiential learning, competency development, and align with goals. • Use Networking, Internship/Co-Op and Job Search tools:
10
REFLECT AND RESEARCH
CAREER COACHING
CAREER & PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS DIRECTIONS: Check the items on the next page that best describe you. Total each theme and check page 9 to view the Holland Career
SECTION 2
occupations.
FOCUS 2 highlights career and major exploration, decision making and action planning in one comprehensive resource. Customized with CMU's majors, your assessment results are matched to career options and FOCUS 2 guides you through a reliable career and education decision-making model to help select majors, make informed career decisions and take action! Make sure to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT to evaluate and apply your results. A shortened sample assessment can be seen on the following pages. You can access the full FOCUS 2 assessment at bit.ly/cmichfocus2.
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THEME 4
Hands-on
Helpful
Product-oriented
Service-oriented
Likes using physical skill
Likes providing care to others
Prefers taking action
Prefers developing relationships
Skilled in dexterity or agility
Skilled in understanding others’ needs
Practical
Supportive
Seeks tangible results
Seeks ways to make an impact
Appreciates adventure
Appreciates community
Provides restoration
Provides encouragement
Desires practicality
Desires social harmony
THEME 2
REFLECT AND RESEARCH
THEME 1
THEME 5
Analytical
Persuasive
Research-oriented
Results-oriented
Likes discovering “why” or “how” Prefers problem-solving
Prefers taking the lead
Skilled in logical reasoning
Skilled in verbal communication
Rational
Competitive
Seeks knowledge
Seeks to achieve status
Appreciates complexity
Appreciates risk-taking
Provides solutions
Provides motivation
Desires intellectual challenges
Desires accomplishing goals
THEME 3
THEME 6
Expressive
Orderly
Idea-oriented
Data-oriented
Likes being imaginative
Likes working with processes
Prefers conceptualizing
Prefers following a routine
Skilled in creating new things Inventive
Systematic Seeks accuracy
Appreciates aesthetics
Appreciates stability
Provides enjoyment
Provides structure
Desires originality
Desires predictability
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THEME 1 – REALISTIC You are a DOER. Do you like to work outdoors with tools and machines? Do you have a preference to deal with things instead of people?
Some of your possible hobbies include: woodworking,
Some of your possible majors include: engineering, biology, geology, geography, mathematics, statistics, outdoor recreation, environmental studies, or anthropology.
THEME 2 – INVESTIGATIVE You are a THINKER.
activities? Are you task-oriented and not particularly interested in working around other people? Do you like to think through problems rather than act upon them? Do you like challenges and creativity but dislike structure and rules? Some of your possible hobbies include: astronomy, crossword puzzles, board and video games, computers, visiting museums, and/or collecting items. Some of your possible majors include: any science-related area: computer science, pre-medicine, pre-physician assistant, pre-pharmacy or pre-dentistry.
THEME 3 – ARTISTIC You are a CREATOR. Do you have little interest in problems
that are highly structured or require physical strength, preferring those that can be dealt with self-expression? Do you have a need for individualistic expression?
SECTION 2
Are you less assertive about your own opinions and capabilities? Are you more sensitive and emotional? Are you independent, original, unconventional, expressive, and tense? Some of your possible hobbies include: photography, writing, sewing, visiting art museums, designing, travel, music, homemade crafts, and/or painting. Some of your possible majors include: art, journalism, fashion, interior design, broadcasting, video game design, communication, music, or theater.
HELPERS SOCIAL
CR EA AR TOR T IS S TIC
CO NV OR ENTIO GA NIZ NAL ER S
RS DE UA SING RS PE ERPRI T EN
CODES
1 2 3
E TIV IGA S EST R INV INKE TH
HOLLAND CAREER
REALISTIC DOERS
THEME 4 – SOCIAL You are a HELPER. Are you concerned with the welfare of
others? Do you usually express yourself well and get along with others? Do you seek situations that allow you to be at or near the center of the group? Do you describe yourself as a cheerful, popular, and a good leader? Some of your possible hobbies include: volunteering, joining organizations, attending sporting events, caring for children, religious activities, going to social gatherings, and/or planning team sports. Some of your possible majors include: teacher education, child development, social work, sociology, psychology, management, hospitality, or family studies.
THEME 5 – ENTERPRISING You are a PERSUADER. Do you have a great way with you see yourself as energetic, enthusiastic, adventurous, and Some of your possible hobbies include: discussing politics, reading business journals, watching the stock market, selling products and services, leading organizations and/or operating a home or small business. Some of your possible majors include: marketing, retail health, or women’s studies.
THEME 6 – CONVENTIONAL You are a ORGANIZER. Do you prefer highly-ordered organizations but do not seek leadership? Are you dependable? Some of your possible hobbies include: collecting, using/working with a computer, card games, and keeping records. Some of your possible majors include: accounting, management, construction, technology, and paralegal.
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AREA OF STUDY & CAREER INTERESTS, SKILLS, VALUES,
and GOALS. COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
“CAREER CLUSTERS”
Applied Business Studies Complex 250 989-774-3337 www.cmich.edu/colleges/cba
• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources • Architecture and Construction • Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communication
COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION & FINE ARTS
• Business, Management & Administration • Education & Training
Moore Hall 129 989-774-1885 www.cmich.edu/colleges/ccfa
• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources • Finance • Government & Public Administration • Health Science
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
• Hospitality & Tourism • Human Services
EHS Building 426 989-774-3079 www.cmich.edu/colleges/ehs
• Information Technology • Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security • Manufacturing
COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
• Marketing, Sales & Service
Health Professions Building 2217 989-774-1850 www.cmich.edu/colleges/chp
• Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
EC C
I IF
Ex: Social Work, Advertising, Accounting
SP
Anspach Hall 106 989-774-3341 www.cmich.edu/colleges/chsbs
—
Engineering and Technology Building 200 989-774-1870 www.cmich.edu/colleges/cst
Ex: Sociology, Public Relations, Human Resources
EN OP
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Ex: Psychology, Communications, General Business
Choose areas of study (Majors, Minors) that align with SKILLS you want to gain, INTERESTS, and GOALS. Some areas of study will be more open-ended
14
REFLECT AND RESEARCH
BEST FIT
MARKET AND
WHAT’S INSIDE
MANAGE
THIS SECTION
Your Experiences Your Skills Steps to Adapt Your Brand and Applications Build Your Brand Resume Formats: “Chronological” and “Functional Resume Styles Cover Letters Job Description
17 18 19 20 21, 22 23, 24 25, 26 27
2
When it comes to promoting your skills, experiences, values and interests to an employer or graduate school, you have several options to showcase and build your personal brand. This can be done through traditional methods such as resumes, cover letters, personal statements and curriculum vitaes. This can also be expanded and enhanced through technology such as social media and personal websites. Career Services is here to assist you every step of the way to ensure your application materials stand out above the rest!
Showing Your Fit Academic Applications: Personal Statement Academic Applications: Personal Vitae Online Branding
2
28 29 30 31, 32
PLANNING (”CAREER CENTER” DROP-DOWN MENU) TOPICS: • Resume & Cover Letter • Personal Statement and CV • Business Cards • Personal Statements • Social Media, Website/E-Portfolio
EXAMPLE RESOURCES:
REACH
CAREER PEER
YOUR
EXPERIENCES EDUCATION
HONORS AND AWARDS
OVERVIEW OF RELEVANT QUALIFICATION S
DEGREE, CERTIFICATIONS, STUDY ABROAD
PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT S
INDUSTRY-RELATED EXPERIENCE/INTERNSHIP S
PROFESSIONA L DEVELOPMENT
TRAINING, COURSEWORK, ORGANIZATIONS
(ADJUST BASED ON RELEVANCE )
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
EMPLOYMENT
MOST RELEVANT
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
REACH
CAREER PEER
PART-TIME JOBS
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
SKILLS /LANGUAGES
INDUSTRY/DEGREE SPECIFIC
SUPPLEMEN TAL
VOLUNTEERING
SECTION 2
UTILIZE KEYWORDS FOR TARGETED HEADINGS: whatcanidowiththismajor.com
and professional development while helping you build your brand for your next opportunity. on what you have accomplished and articulating your value to an employer, school or organization is crucial to accomplishing your career aspirations. Above are several categories/headings that can help you get started when organizing your experiences before creating your application materials. No matter the medium (ex. with additional experiences.
! 17
In order to better understand and present your whole story, you will want to focus on the relevant skills, interests, and you gained from your experiences. Overall, any experience can help you gain the skills below that employers look to hire:
SKILLS “CAREER READINESS” COMPETENCIES • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving • Global/Intercultural Fluency • Oral/Written Communications • Digital Technology • Teamwork/Collaboration • Career Management •Leadership • Professionalism/ Work Ethic
TOP 10 TRANSFERABLE SKILLS INDUSTRY ex: technology, content knowledge
TRANSFERABLE ex: communication, teamwork, organization
FOUNDATIONAL
• Communicating with others • Working well on a team • Problem-solving • Organizing and prioritizing work • Processing Information • Analyzing data • Obtaining job-related technical knowledge • Understanding computer programs • Writing and editing •
ex: genuine, hard-working, positive attitude
USEFUL ACTION VERBS TO SHOWCASE SKILLS COMMUNIC ATION
CREATIVE
FINANCIAL/D ATA
TEAMWOR K
TECHNICA L
Addressed Advertised Arranged Collaborated Composed Described Edited Incorporated Interpreted Interviewed Marketed Negotiated
Acted Composed Condensed Created Customized Displayed Entertained Fashioned Illustrated Initiated Integrated Invented
Adjusted Administered Allocated Analyzed Appraised Assessed Audited Balanced Budgeted Calculated Corrected Estimated
Advocated Aided Answered Contributed Cooperated Counseled Demonstrated Educated Ensured Familiarized Furthered
Adapted Applied Assembled Built Calculated Computed Constructed Designed Engineered Maintained Operated Printed
MANAGEMENT
RESEARCH
TEACHING
ORGANIZATION
PERSONAL Q UALITIES
Administered Coordinated Developed Directed Executed Hired Implemented Initiated Managed Motivated Organized Planned
Collected Compared Conducted Determined Diagnosed Evaluated Examined Explored Gathered
Advised Coached Consulted Critiqued Encouraged Explained Facilitated Focused Guided Informed Instructed Motivated
Cataloged Categorized
Accurate Analytical
Coded Compiled Corrected Distributed Inspected Logged Maintained Monitored Obtained
Consistent Deliberate Dependable
Inspected Interpreted
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS VERBS: bit.ly/reachverbs
Enthusiastic Flexible Independent Innovative Organized
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MARKET AND MANAGE
YOUR
STEPS TO ADAPT YOUR BRAND AND
APPLICATIONS 1
MEDIUM
2
APPEARANCE (FORMAT & STYLE)
3
ORGANIZATION (EXPERIENCES)
How will you categorize and label all of your relevant experiences so that the most important stand out? • Headings - The more unique/specific the situation (ex. reflection vs. networking vs. application), the more targeted your headings can be using keywords. See examples below: • PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - MARKETING & SALES EXPERIENCE • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - CAMPUS LEADERSHIP • EMPLOYMENT - CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE
4
DETAILS (SKILLS)
Storytelling through descriptive language and sentences brings your experiences to life! The key is to develop language that is balanced in showing value without being too short or lengthy. An example bullet-point is below:
SECTION 2
STRONG ACTION VERB + WHO AND WHAT + WHY/RESULT OF ACTION
NOTE: Use the correct verb tense when writing bullet point statements. If you currently hold the position, or are currently performing a task, use a present tense verb (ex: Coordinate). If it is a position you’ve held in the past, or a past task, use a past tense verb (ex: Coordinated).
19
MARKET AND MANAGE
BUILD YOUR
BRAND
1
SELF-REFLECT (KNOWLEDGE)
2
SHOWCASE (NETWORK)
3
SUBMIT
(MEET NEED)
PHASE 1: SELF-REFLECT (KNOWLEDGE) SELF-REFLECT on experiences, skills, interests, gaps and overall value to develop SELF-KNOWLEDGE. This is for YOU! 1. MEDIUM: 2. APPEARANCE: Clean & Consistent to stay organized 3. ORGANIZATION: Categorize experiences that are relevant to you with headings that keep you organized (pg. 13) 4. DETAILS: Create detailed sentences that showcase skills you feel are relevant to your storyy (pg. 14)
PHASE 2: SHOWCASE (NETWORK) SHOWCASE your experiences, skills, interests and overall value to professionals and employers in your career NETWORKING. 1. MEDIUM: 2. APPEARANCE: A format and style that is clean and consistent is still key. Consider adjusting appearance to the industries or professionals that will see your information. 3. ORGANIZATION: Organize and target headings based on who may see your materials. This means that using 4. DETAILS: Reorganize and adjust sentence content based on relevance to what your profession or employers would value.
PHASE 3: SUBMIT (MEET NEED) SUBMIT an application that displays how your experiences, skills, interests, and overall value connect to the NEEDS of an employer, organization, or school. 1. MEDIUM: Targeted “Application Resumes,” cover letters – pgs. 21, 22 2. APPEARANCE: material match the employer culture and expectations. 3. ORGANIZATION: skills) and using their language can be key. 4. DETAILS: Be even more strategic with reorganizing sentences and adjusting content to best align with the job posting requirements to show value and relevancy.
20
RESUME FORMATS:
“CHRONOLOGICAL” 1
12
CHIP A. WAY
1
2
KEYWORDS ARE CRUCIAL: Your overall goal is to clearly showcase transferable and employer and position. Use intentional headings and bullet points that explain your skills and experiences.
2
Including a professional website can allow an employer another opportunity to learn more about you and your experiences.
3
Maintain a strong GPA and showcase it.
3
4
4 5
6
ADAPT HEADINGS:
ties and positions. This heading could become “Public Relations Experience.”
5
BULLET POINTS: Include major responsibilities.
6
BULLET POINTS: Include
7
ADAPT HEADINGS: Consider utilizing headings such as “Campus Leadership.”
8
If you’ve had multiple positions within one organization, you can split up the experiences.
9
Include class projects, research, group work and area/industry content knowledge.
10
ADAPT HEADINGS: This could become “Customer Service Experience.”
11
BULLET POINTS: Not all experiences have to include details.
12
MULTIPLE PAGES: Carry-over header or format as: Last Name, Page #
7 8
9
10
SECTION 2
11
The “Chronological Resume” is the most frequently-used resume format.
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“FUNCTIONAL”
“CROSS-FUNCTIONAL” RESUME Showcasing relevant information through experiential and skill-based categories.
CHIP A. WAY
Consider using this skills-based format when a chronological format may not allow your most relevant skills/ experiences to be emphasized.
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22
MARKET AND MANAGE
RESUME FORMATS:
RESUME
STYLES
Mi of
BASIC/SIMPLE
CONTEMPORARY/MODERN
sues
SECTION 2
FEW DESIGN ELEMENTS
STYLE SPE
Avoid focusing on content in examples above.
MARKET AND MANAGE
Canva, icrosoft Word, and Hloom can be helpful in providing you with templates and easy-to-use programs in the creation a resume that stands out.
CREATIVE/ARTISTIC
ECTRUM
MORE DESIGN ELEMENTS
. Think about the look/style of the document.
24
COVER LETTER
FORMAT
ME + YOU = US an employer’s unique need.
Your Full Name Address Phone Email Date Actual Person’s Name Title Organization/Company Name Address Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr. Last Name, S tate which position you are applying for and where you found the opening. Be sure to mention the names and titles of any referrals. Give information that shows your interest in the company and why you are opportunity. Explain why you are interested in working for this employer.
the organization and job description. Avoid repeating information found on information. L eave the reader with one last deliverable either about yourself or why you would like to work for that company. Thank the reader for their area, interview, start date, or hire). Best regards, Your Full Name
PRO LEVEL TIPS: 1 Use the same header as your resume to ensure consistency in application materials.
SECTION 2
2 Only include priority information – most cover letters are only one page or slightly less. 3 Emphasize what the company does that intrigues you (e.g. special projects, reputation, etc. 4 Conclude by informing the employer of when and how you will follow-up with them. 5 Convert your document to a PDF before uploading to prevent an extra blank page.
25
MARKET AND MANAGE
COVER LETTER
EXAMPLE 1
Create a consistent look for your application materials by using the same heading as your resume.
CHIP A. WAY
1
2 2
3
When you are e-mailing, mailing, or posting the letter, be sure to include the date.
3
When possible, address the
4 address, include the company,
4
Show enthusiasm in your salutation instead of the common “Dear Mr. Last Name.”If you don’t know his/her last name, you could use “Hiring Committee.”
5
INTRODUCTION: • Identify the position you are seeking • Mention names/titles of any referrals. • Thank the person for past communication. • Connect through common
5
6
7
the opportunity, and why you are interested.
6
BODY: • Highlight and expand on your match the position and employer’s culture. • Develop themes based on experiences or skills that match the opportunity. • Include transferable skills, experiences. • Provide concrete evidence throughout to showcase skills. • Avoid generic statements that are not validated with any
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
When you’re not face-to-face with an employer, your cover letter is your introduction.
1 The best cover letters are customized for the employer receiving them. 2 Show an employer that you’re the best candidate by tailoring your experiences with what they’re looking for in the job description (see page 24 for an example).
7
CONCLUSION: Consider summarizing your when you are available (relocatstart date, or hire).
3 Be professional and direct while showing a personal interest and passion for their industry 4 APPLYING BY EMAIL: Your email message can become a quick summary of your cover letter.
Avoid using the same language as your letter. Simply stating “See Attached” can be a missed opportunity and shows lack of interest.
26
JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION: CAREER COACH POSITION SUMMARY
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Bachelor’s degree • General knowledge of university curricula and policies • Familiarity with computers and application programs such as Microsoft Office
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
*Perform other activities and requirements as required. • Hardworking with a genuine care for the success of students • Ability to manage time effectively and adapt to changing demands • Utilize career management technology such as Handshake and LinkedIn to assist students with career-related topics • Demonstrated positive interpersonal and public communication skills with diverse audiences with ability to project a positive image • Advise students in one-on-one appointments and conducting group presentations on a wide variety of career development topics including application materials, interviewing, job and intern search, and networking • Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop career development programming focused on unique interests and needs of a variety of academic programs
SECTION 2
ARE YOU QUALIFIED? Put a star next to each sentence YES
MAYBE/NOT SURE
NO
SKILL TYPES Examples highlighted FOUNDATIONAL TRANSFERABLE
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC
27
MARKET AND MANAGE
SHOWING YOUR FIT MAJOR THEMES/QUALIFICATIONS FROM JOB POSTING (Skills/Knowledge, Experiences, Interests): Use as headings in a resume or themes in a cover letter EXAMPLES: • Skills/Knowledge – ex. public speaking, teamwork, technical knowledge, languages... • Experiences – ex. volunteering, campus leadership, professional experiences... • Interests – ex. short-term and long-term goals, employer culture and mission...
RESUME EXAMPLE CAREER COACHING EXPERIENCE
COVER LETTER EXAMPLE
28
ACADEMIC APPLICATIONS:
PERSONAL STATEMENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/INTENT TEMPLATE Your Full Name – Program Name Statement of Purpose Why You: program. This may include many relevant experiences from your background: i.e. education, research, work experience. You may also include (before or after your relevant experiences) a personal story about your path to this moment in applying to their program. Doing so may show challenges you’ve had to overcome on your journey, why you’ve decided to make a career change, or even how your soft skills would cause you to thrive in their program. Why Them: Multiple paragraphs (certainly more than one paragraph recommended) on why exactly you’re interested in their program and institution. Go beyond the location or how they’re the “best” in the nation or world. Do your homework on they’re doing research that really intrigues you, include this while stating/restating this research (i.e. a possible career path for your future), and recognize the professor you’d be working with. If you use this approach, be sure to also state that you’re still open to other opportunities in their program so they don’t rule you out if that research area is full. Future Intentions: Multiple paragraphs (at least one paragraph) on how you intend to use this new degree if given the opportunity. This usually includes showing how the degree aligns with your future career aspirations. You may also include how you intend to give back to the program once you are an alumnus.
ADDITIONAL TIPS: 1 Rearrange 2 The above template is general in nature and recommended if the graduate program does not
SECTION 2
specify make sure you do so!
3 Your statement of purpose/intent should be approximately two pages unless the graduate double-spaced, a certain font size/type, etc. Follow their requirements!
29
MARKET AND MANAGE
ACADEMIC APPLICATIONS:
CURRICULUM VITAE IN SUMMARY: 1
CHIP A. WAY
Use a curriculum vitae (CV) when applying outside of the United States and Canada or when applying for grants, fellowships, academic/faculty
cal/research positions. This is a lifelong document, so add to it
2
Include your dissertation, thesis, class projects, and papers.
3
Use this format to highlight your teaching experiences.
4
Use the correct format for publications, presentations, and papers by referring to the most recent APA manual.
1
2
3
4
RESUME VS. C.V. MEDIUM: Information typically presented on a resume can be adapted and showcased through a variety of traditional and electronic mediums. Curriculum Vitae information is typically represented through traditional documentation such as Word document.
APPEARANCE: Resumes can vary in format and style based on use, where as curriculum vitaes typically follow a
prescribed look that tends to have a basic style. Typically, curriculum vitaes are multiple pages and longer than a resume.
ORGANIZATION (EXPERIENCES): Resumes focus heavily on hands-on experiences that show relevance to employers where as curriculum vitaes focus more on research, publications, and academic achievements. DETAILS (SKILLS): Resumes typically utilize short, yet informative bullet-points to describe experiences and skills while curriculum vitaes utilize paragraphs and bullet points to describe experiences.
30
ONLINE BRANDING
Your LinkedIn showcasing your authentic, genuine, and amazing self. As a job-seeking candidate, you will be able to research people and employers by industry that will help you develop and build your own network. Employers will also be able to view your information by conducting keyword searches and seeking out research, discover, and connect: 1. Develop an engaging, original, and clear summary of who you are. 2. Search for people you may know and connect with them. Try using the “Find Alumni� search to
SECTION 2
3. Send your contacts inMail to network professionally. 4. Join groups based on skills, interests, and industries. 5. Search job and internship postings. 6. Full library of support sources: university.linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students
31
MARKET AND MANAGE
PERSONAL WEBSITE
A personal website will also help you stand out among other applicants. Some free platforms include WordPress, Wix, Jimdo, and Weebly, but feel free to experiment with any other favorites. Use your website to host all of your professionally-based social media links in one location and to host pictures, video highlights, documents, and video references to better connect with employers. Lastly, be sure to include a link to your personal website on your resume, cover letter, business cards, and email signature line.
You may also want to use your Facebook and Twitter accounts to research employers and connect with career opportunities. In this case, make sure they are professional, appropriyou use the highest privacy settings.
32
EXPLORE AND
WHAT’S INSIDE
EXPERIENCE
THIS SECTION
Expand My Brand Navigating Career Fairs Navigating Online Fairs Choosing References and Mentors Reference Page Are You “Career Ready”? Move & Improve
35, 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
3
3
Since it’s a full-time job to land a job, it is important to develop search strategies. You need to stay organized and get connected through online and in-person networking, as well as identify resources
PLANNING (”CAREER CENTER” DROP-DOWN MENU) TOPICS: • Internship/Co-Op & Job Search • Events & Career Fairs • Networking & Involvement • Mentors/References • Career Advancement & Transitioning
EXAMPLE RESOURCES:
EXPAND
MY BRAND
CMU RESOU
LOCATION-BASED
INDUSTRY-B
CAMPUS
MY NETWO
• Campus Involvements • • Employment
It’s not just WHO you HOW you know t
INFO INTERVIEWS
JOB SHADOW
The goal of informational interviews is to learn as
Take it a step further by observin
interest. These people could become some of your best advocates with your career development. After asking to set up an informational interview, create a list of questions to bring with you. LinkedIn is a
occupation of interest. This will g
These types of interactions can e internship or job opportunity in
support you.
EMPLOYER REVI
SECTION 3
EMPLOYER DIRECTORIES
SEARCH PROCESS:
RESEARCH/CONNECT
APPLIED
INTERVIEW
SECURED/ACCEPT
BASED
ORK
know, but them.
WING
ng the day-to -day
EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE
URCES
interests, skills, values and personal and professional goals. Discovering and solidifying resources and people that can best support your unique situation is a great way to begin a successful search. Find a balance between building your NETWORK and utilizing a variety of ONLINE SEARCH TOOLS
LARGE SEARCH ENGINES
COMMUNITY • Internships and Jobs • Volunteering • Professional Organizations
INTERNSHIPS Internships/Co-Ops can be one of the best ways to gain hands-on professional experiences in your
give you an inside
even lead to an n the future.
IEW SITES
door. Many employers use these experiences to hire full-time employees. Consider gaining multiple professional experiences to build your network and to become more competitive..
SOCIAL MEDIA
MY TOP EMPLOYERS: 36
NAVIGATING CAREER FAIRS BEFORE THE FAIR • View event details and participating employer lists, and determine which employers to target (Details ils and employer emplo lists for all CMU career fairs and events are available on Handshake). • Review other sections of this Career Guide, especially the Elevator Pitch on page 37 • Visit REACH Advising to polish your resume and get advice on tailoring it for your targeted employers • If you need a suit, seek out First Impressions, a program that provides free, professional attire • Practice talking about your experience and skills through the Mock Interview Program • Attend a prep event, such as Fire Up Your Career, or schedule an appointment with a career coach •
DURING THE FAIR • Dress professionally and bring a padfolio with your tailored and general resumes • Refer to the career fair’s registration packet, which usually includes a map of the fair’s layout, as well as each h employer’s desired majors and available positions employer and your desired position • Connect with employers by asking relevant questions • Exchange business cards or contact information
AFTER THE FAIR
SECTION 3
• Keep the employers’ contact information and your job/internship leads in one place, such as Handshake ake • Connect with and thank the recruiters via e-mail and LinkedIn • Follow up with any additional materials/information, such as a project write-up or updated resume • If you were interviewed, send a thank you note • Make notes about the experience and personal areas of growth for the next career fair
37
EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE
NAVIGATING ONLINE FAIRS With virtual career fairs, you can customize your avatar and visit a virtual auditorium, where you can speak with employers via chat or voice function. Visit and go to “Events” to sign up, create your own avatar, and start networking virtually!
You can customize your avatar’s features, including hair, glasses,
The career auditorium features webinars and workshops, customized with CMU branding.
38
CHOOSING REFERENCES AND
MENTORS
CONSIDER BOTH PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS unique opportunities you are applying to. Several to consider include: •
Select people who can speak to your unique skill sets and experiences and/or your overall character. Try to WHO will represent you and HOW they will share your personal and professional story.
INDUSTRY ex: technology, content knowledge
TRANSFERABLE ex: communication, teamwork, organization
FOUNDATIONAL ex: genuine, hard-working, positive attitude
SECTION 3
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Utilize online resources to manage your personal and professional network. You can even receive endorsements and recommendations through resources like LinkedIn. Learn more at university.linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students
39
EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE
REFERENCE
PAGE 1
List the person’s full name and position title.
2
Provide the company name and
3
List a professional email address and full phone number. Consider adding online credentials as well such as
CHIP A. WAY
1 2
REFERENCE ETIQUETTE
3
• Use a separate page to list your references. Be sure to use a consistent font and heading from your resume and cover letter. • Include 3-5 professional references,
including past or current supervisors, internship coordinators, and/or professors. Consider avoiding personal references such as family and close friends.
• Select your references carefully. Consider several references who can speak about abilities, or accomplishments.
• Make sure your references can help build a strong case for your candidacy. • Start by asking your references if they would agree to serve as a reference for you, they would prefer you use. Then, be sure to stay in touch with them. Notify them of each position you have applied for and how to best speak on your behalf.
TAKING IT A STEP FURTHER • When applicable, ask your references to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf for your professional portfolio and to attach to your application.
• Remember to give your references adequate time to write the letter, and gently suggest a date to complete the letter. • Consider adding a reference section to your professional website. • Write your references a thank you note shortly after they write you a letter of recommendation or give a verbal reference on your behalf. Also, be sure to stay in touch with them to share your job success!
• Utilize online resources manage your networks well. You can do so through online sources such as LinkedIn.
40
ARE YOU
“CAREER READY”? experiences to the table. Are you able to prove that you are “CAREER READY”? The following are career readiness • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving • Global/Intercultural Fluency • Oral/Written Communications • Digital Technology • Teamwork/Collaboration • Career Management • Leadership • Professionalism/Work Ethic
!
ACADEMICS Coursework, your content/industry knowledge, capstone projects, and continuing education opportunities such as than others, but overall, your GPA can showcase a wide variety of skills and abilities in a quick and easy format: Maintain a strong GPA throughout college and actively participate in class.
Network with fellow classmates and meet with faculty to help develop your career path. This can lead to research opportunities, conferences, and developing a strong support group.
CAMPUS LEADERSHIP want to help you gain experiences through a variety of outlets. Become a member of our Career Services team by becoming a “Career Ambassador.” Get involved with the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center through Alternative Spring Breaks and other various programs. Meet with a Study Abroad advisor. Join Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) of interest through OrgSync and take on leadership roles. Attend conferences such as through CMU’s Leadership Institute.
JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS Gaining hands-on professional experiences is highly recommended, even if your degree doesn’t require an internship or cooperative education (co-op) experience. Internships are designed to provide relevant experiences and will allow you the
SECTION 3
Your work experiences can also be a great way to showcase transferable skills to employers, but it is up to you to show the that can help you develop customer service, management, organization, technical, and communication skills. Gain multiple internship/co-op experiences in your areas of interest. Meet with the Internship Coordinator or a faculty member in your department to inquire about academic credit for the experiences. Secure jobs throughout college to gain transferable skills.
41
IMPROVE
Graduate Studies
CAREER ADVANCEMENT Whether you have just landed a new position, or have been in a position for several years, consider what resources are available to support you in advancing your career. Mentors, professional organizations, and continuing professional development through training, workshops, conferences and events both internal and external to your employer can be vital in getting you to the next level.
CAREER TRANSITIONS
42
EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE
MOVE &
SEAL THE
WHAT’S INSIDE Interview Preparation Types of Interviews Interview Questions Closing the Deal Following Up
DEAL
THIS SECTION 45, 46 47, 48 49, 50 51 52 53-56
4
4
Since it’s a full-time job to land a job, it is important to develop search strategies. You need to stay organized and get connected through online and in-person networking, as well as identify resources
PLANNING (”CAREER CENTER” DROP-DOWN MENU) TOPICS: • Interviewing • Professional Attire • Salary & Negotiation • Budgeting
EXAMPLE RESOURCES:
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
important to keep a few things in mind to prepare you for the big day. Look over the interview preparation
SECTION 4
qualities that employers will take notice of.
! 45
Your knowledge of the employer and industry should be evident in your responses to interview questions, as well as your questions for the interviewers. When you demonstrate this knowledge, you also express your sincere interest in the position.
IDENTIFY YOUR TOP QUALIFICATIONS Create a concise, memorable summary (commonly referred to as an elevator pitch) for introducing yourself to the interviewers. Highlight your most relevant experience, accomplishments, abilities, and future goals that relate to the position. You can use this introduction in response to the prompt, “Tell me about yourself.” If you need help verbalizing how your skills and experiences match the job posting requirements, refer to page 37 and schedule an appointment with a career coach.
SCHEDULE A MOCK INTERVIEW The best way to prepare for an interview is to actually do it! Through our Mock Interview Program, we will simulate an interview for you to strengthen your interviewing skills. Sign up for a Mock Interview by logging into Handshake at www.careers.cmich.edu. To practice your responses to common interview questions, see page 36. For additional practice, consider visiting Ready, Prep, Interview at www.readyprepinterview.com or Big Interview at www.biginterview.com.
PREPARE QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEWERS Interviewers expect you to ask questions. Asking questions is another way to express your genuine interest in the position and organization. Refer to page 36 for sample questions to ask during the interview process. Keep in mind that you will likely develop additional questions on-the-spot based on what transpired during the interview.
BRING YOUR REFERENCES LIST References are typically requested at the conclusion of the interview. Refer to page 26 for a sample reference list. Make sure to bring a copy with you to your interview and notify your references that you have an upcoming interview. They may be receiving a call from the hiring manager soon!
PLAN AHEAD An important step in the interview process is following-up with the employer. Request each interviewer’s business card at the conclusion of the interview, and send each of them a thank you note. Refer to page 41 for a guide on how to write them.
46
SEAL THE DEAL
RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION AND INDUSTRY
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW “Tell me about a time when...” or “Give me an example of a situation where...” are prompts that seek your best examples of how you would satisfy the requirements of the job. These behavioral interview questions are frequently asked in interviews of all types. See page 37 for examples of common behavioral-based interview questions.
SECTION 4
1 2 3
ASSESSMENT This method will provide you the opportunity to prove your knowledge, skills, and abilities pertaining to the job. You may be required to do one or several activities in front of the interviewers and key stakeholders. The activities may involve a presentation or role-playing, for instance, and last from an hour to several days. Organizations are willing to include assessment center techniques in the interviewing process to make a wise investment in the successful candidate.
47
SEAL THE DEAL
THROUGHOUT YOUR INTERVIEW, CONSIDER DISPLAYING THESE 4 THINGS:
1
…how you will make an impact in the new position, starting on Day #1!
2 3
…your enthusiasm about the job and organization.
4
…your sparkle. Be yourself and let your personality shine!
48
INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS This will involve general and behavior-based questions. Your goal is to provide clear evidence that you have the skill sets and experiences that best match. This will help you to showcase FOUNDATIONAL, TRANSFERABLE, AND INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC skill sets. Consider using the BAR Method or STAR Method to develop your answers.
IF IC
INDUSTRY
EN
—
SP
EC
ex: technology, content knowledge
Ex: How have you used “InDesign” to create awareness around a product or resource?
OP
TRANSFERABLE ex: communication, teamwork, organization
Ex: Describe a time when you’ve worked on a team to achieve a common goal.
FOUNDATIONAL ex: genuine, hard-working, positive attitude
B.A.R. Method BACKGROUND
Ex: “Tell me about your self.” “Why are you interested in this position?” “Why are you the best candidate?”
S.T.A.R. Method ACTION
RESULT
SITUATION/TASK
ACTION
RESULT
• Background/Situation/Task: orient your interviewer by providing the “who, what, when, where, why” of the situation. • Action: describe what exactly you did in this situation and why you did it in that particular way. • Result: conclude your example with the outcome of your actions and what you learned from the experience.
SECTION 5
Interviewer: Your response: In my HR Training and Development class at CMU this past semester, I worked with two classmates to complete a semester-long training project for our business client, Enterprise Holdings. I decided to take the lead on the project, and delegated responsibilities and tasks to my classmates. One classmate in particular had been late for two I’m proud to say that we achieved an A on the project and Enterprise Holdings will be implementing our work into their new employee training program. I also learned that, as a leader, you should check your team’s understanding of the tasks before moving forward.
49
A concise summary of yourself is needed in the form of a 30 second “elevator” pitch at a career fair or networking event, as well as in response to the #1 interview prompt, “Tell me about yourself.” So, what should you say? Do include: • The Basics: your name, CMU major/minor, and year in school (i.e. sophomore) • Experience: work experience, volunteer work, projects related to the position of interest • Distinctions: your top, relevant accomplishments, strengths and skill sets • The Future: your educational and career goals as they relate to the position Don’t include: • Your age, marital status, ethnicity and other potentially discriminatory information • Details about family, friends, co-workers, etc. Keep the focus on you! • All of your work experiences-stick to what is most relevant for your listener • Hobbies, unless you are able to make a clear connection between them and the position
EXAMPLE ELEVATOR PITCH: Position of Interest: Human Resources: Recruiting Internship with Ford Motor Company My name is Victor Chip, and I am currently a junior studying Human Resources at Central Michigan University. For the past two years, I have been the Recruitment Chair of the Society for Human Resource Management at CMU, as well as a Mock Interviewer for CMU Career Services. I also recently completed an employee recruitment and retention project with three classmates, and we won “Best in Class.” I welcome the opportunity to “Go Further” with Ford Motor Company and enhance my recruiting skills through this internship.
VIEW MORE EXAMPLE QUESTIONS BASED ON CAREER FIELD AND OCCUPATION THROUGH THE RESOURCES BELOW:
www.glassdoor.comw
ww.qinncia.com
www.jobinterviewquestions.com
Interviewer: “Do you have any questions for us?” TIP that...I was curious to learn more about...”).
You mentioned
!
50
SEAL THE DEAL
RESPONDING TO THE #1 INTERVIEW PROMPT: “TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”
CLOSING
THE DEAL IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
SECTION 5
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
51
SEAL THE DEAL
FOLLOWING
UP
If you are looking for ways to stand out from other applicants, be the one who sends a thank you note or email 1-2 business days after the interview. The thank you note is a chance to stand out, demonstrate follow-up skills, Use the guidelines below for why, when, and how to write a thank you note:
!
Send a thank you note after a phone interview. You don’t have to wait for an in-person interview to write a thank you note. A quick, simple note can go a long way. See the following example: “Thank you for taking the time to talk with me on the phone today. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions, and I hope to hear from you again soon.”
!
Thank you note etiquette can be a challenge when you meet with multiple people during an interview. A good rule to follow is to write an individual follow-up note to each person. Before leaving, ask for business cards of each person interviewing you. “Dear Judy, It was a pleasure to meet you on Wednesday. Your description of the coordinator role and how thanks again!”
!
If you don’t have the contact information for each person on the interview panel, it is still important to name each person you met with. I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of the team yesterday. Please tell Anna, Victor, and Lisa thank you for their time and thoughtful questions.
!
Use the thank you note to expand or reinforce your interview conversations. If you mentioned a project, organization, or article, you can include a link to further information. We talked about the conference where I learned about the new IT governance strategies, and I wanted to share a link to the presentation I mentioned.
!
You can also add information that you didn’t cover in the interview. You know that feeling when you walk out of an interview and think, “Why didn’t I say X? I should have told them about that project!” The thank you note can be your second choice. It was good to learn more about how you collaborate with your managed service vendors. I don’t think I mentioned that my previous role involved negotiating a new IT services contract.
!
Finally, if you are working with an HR representative or recruiter who is coordinating the interview recruiter know how it went. Dear Phil, Thank you for setting up the call with Donna today. She and I had a good conversation about the
Combine the above examples that work for you to form a complete thank you note of three sentences to a couple of paragraphs. Be sure to write your note in your neatest handwriting and add a personal touch from your interview!
52
SALARY NEGOTIATIONS AND JOB OFFERS and deserved pay grade simply because they do not know how to negotiate. Almost every salary is negotia-
! STEP 1: REFLECT – KNOW YOUR VALUE AND YOUR VALUES Think about the job you have or the one you seek. How do you or bring value to the company or organization? What accomplishments, skills, and work experiences are relevant to the position? Consider things such as… • Accomplishments related to your major • • •
Leadership roles Measurable positive results from your work (increases in revenue or client base) Skill areas where you particularly excel
Write down as many of these as you can.
SECTION 5
These accomplishments, skills, and work experiences will not only help you establish an appropriate target salary, but provide you with persuasive responses during your negotiation that will help you justify any request to increase your salary.
when it comes to a position and a company/organization.
53
SEAL THE DEAL
Rank the following in the order of importance to you: 1 = Most Important, 10 = Least Important Salary Vacation and Sick Time Career Growth/Advancement Professional Development Opportunities Prestige/Well-Known Company Good Relationship with Supervisor/Boss Flexible Work Schedule Location Travel
STEP 2: RESEARCH – BENCHMARK YOUR SALARY AND BENEFITS Grounding yourself in objective research is essential to preparing for your negotiation. Use the following resources to determine the market value for your position based on job title, location, and skill set… • • •
www.salary.com www.payscale.com www.glassdoor.com
•
CNN Money’s Cost of Living Calculator
Be sure to assess the market and take in account factors such as… • •
The overall economic conditions of the area Who the company’s competitors are
•
Local occupational growth/decline
MARKET RANGE:
LOW (10%)
–
HIGH (90%)
Finally, determine a resistance point, or the lowest salary you would be willing to accept and still reach agreement. REMEMBER MY PERSONAL SALARY RANGE:
– LOW (BUDGET NEEDS)
$
HIGH (IDEAL)
54
SALARY NEGOTIATIONS AND
JOB OFFERS (CONTINUED) STEP 3: NEGOTIATE – KNOW YOUR STRATEGY WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO NEGOTIATE?
1) AVOID answering asking any questions about salary during the interview and answering any questions
this position and it’s responsibilities before estimating my value in this position.” If an employer absolutely expect to make between $__,____ and $__,____ based on the position and the skills you bring to the table. 2) If you have tangible evidence that your current salary is too low, you may be in a position to negotiate. THE CONVERSATION
DO:
-
• Ask when the individual needs to know your decision by DO NOT:
• Come to the conversation unprepared (your employer may be ready and available to enter the negotiation • Neglect to negotiate things beyond base pay
SECTION 5
overtime policies, sick days/vacation, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, relocation/mov
, then you should attempt to negotiate upward.
55
SEAL THE DEAL
Useful phrases:
the area for someone in this position with my demonstrated skill set is - $__,____ - $__,_____. Would you • “Given my experience with (insert accomplishments, skills, experiences), I was expecting to start in this position with a salary that was between $__,_____ and $__,____ . Do you think we can work together to
Be mindful that often this conversation is a process. It may take several separate sessions of going “back and forth”
goals and that you are reaching for a win/win situation. Useful responses if an employer rejects to negotiate into your proposed salary range: • “I understand there may be some challenges in processing my request. Based on my research, the range more realistic range that we can consider and work towards?” • “I absolutely understand budget constraints; however, I’ve demonstrated that my skills and experiences are competitive for a higher range. If not now, do you think we could revisit this in the future and discuss what a salary review would look like for this position?”
- congratulations! Be sure to look at the overall package and decide
STEP 4: DECIDE – CONCLUDING THE NEGOTIATION Based on your objective research and your personal values in a position, you should know whether or
4 56
CREATING A REALISTIC BUDGET Establishing a monthly budget is essential to estimating how you’ll be able to manage your money with a given salary. The 50/20/30 on your particular situation and needs. The rule recommends allocating the following:
50% HOUSING
FOOD
(OR LESS) TO FIXED EXPENSES
TRANSPORTATION
20%
UTILITIES (ELECTRIC, GAS, WATER, CELL PHONE, CABLE, ETC.
SAVINGS & DEBT
(OR MORE) TO FINANCIAL GOALS & OBLIGATIONS
RETIREMENT FUND
EMERGENCY FUND
STUDENT LOANS
CREDIT CARD DEBT
SECTION 5
SAVINGS ACCOUNT
NEEDS
57
SHOPPING
(OR LESS) TO VARIABLE EXPENSES
PERSONAL CARE
HOBBIES
ENTERTAINMENT
50%
20%
SAVINGS & DEBT NEEDS
WANTS 30%
ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY & PLANNING TOOLS: • mint.com
• learnvest.com
•nerdwallet.com
• paycheckcity.com
58
SEAL THE DEAL
30%
WANTS
BUILD YOUR NETW ORK. EXPERIENCEDETROIT. MA KEAN IMPACT. VisitQLCareers. com
Quicken Loans is roud a p equal oppo rtuni ty empl oyer. Equal housing lende r, censed li in all states 50, NM LS#3030.
59
Study Abroad Earn Credit Toward Graduation Develop Your Worldview Enhance Your ResumĂŠ
studyabroad.cmich.edu / 989-774-4308 / Ronan 330
60
Multiple locations nationwide Flexible online programs Personalized support from enrollment through graduation Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs for an expanded resume
YOUR AD HERE CONTACT CMU CAREER SERVICES (989) 774-3086 | CAREERS@CMICH.EDU
61
EDITORIAL TEAM
bit.ly/cmichcsteam
Layout and Design: Zachary Smith, Graphic Design Intern, Career Services
THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS Quicken Loans Enterprise Speedway CMU Volunteer Center CMU Study Abroad CMU Bookstore Handshake Dart Container CMU Global Campus
59 59 59 59 60 60 60 60 61
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NOTES
63
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cmich.joinhandshake.com
Central Michigan University – Career Services
@CMUcareerservices
@CMUCareers
CAREER SERVICES | RONAN HALL 240 | (989) 774-3068 | CAREERS.CMICH.EDU